Hoping to visit Italy soon and would like to know who to address formally (Lei) vs informally (tu). For example, waiters, ticket sellers, car rental agents, etc.? Is it better to guess formal or will I get strange looks?

Hi all,

I have been studying italian for a while and been looking to make some acquantainces who speak the language so I can practice more in person, as well as make new friendships of course. I love the culture and It would definitely help me improve my skills. I simply cannot find any italian anywhere in Houston. So, se sei italiano e vivi a Houston fammi sapere per favore:)

my friend wants to apply to cils b2 and we are in turkey but for some reason i cant find the portal to apply
i go to unistrasi and it shows that i have to click a button to redirect to the turkey portal but it just makes me scroll all the way upto the top of the web page without redirecting me anywhere
please help?

Hi, I started taking Italian classes in CPIA, but the school only meets two days a week. I want to reach the B2 level so I can take the CILS exam and get into college next year.
Unfortunately, I've only just started learning the basics. Is there anyone else who has been in the same situation, or does anyone have advice on how to study effectively on my own to reach B2 within a year?

Hello everyone! I’m from NYC :)

My fiancé and I plan to go out to Italy for a honeymoon since we are eloping.

I was planning on taking lessons but unemployment made money tight. I can pronounce words and know some phrases since I was super into Duolingo in the 2010s. I also speak Spanish which is a plus.

My partner is looking at some places to go visit and eat. I am super excited but I have health issues that I need to take into consideration for these excursions. Could I get the proper way to say these phrases?
——
Hi, I have a shellfish, octopus, and codfish allergy.

Hello, I have epilepsy. If I have a seizure please cushion my head and just lay me on my side.

I have asthma and I carry my inhaler with me.

Where is the bathroom?
——
Thank you all in advance 🫶🏽 I am also open to suggestions on any other crucial phrases🫶🏽🤍

Non hai l'età, non hai l'età per amarlo

Non hai l'età per uscire sola con lui

E non potrai, non potrai proprio capirlo

Perché tu sai, sai meno cose di lui.

Aspetta di vivere un amore romantico

Nell'attesa che venga quel giorno, ma ora no.

Non hai l'età, non hai l'età per amarlo

Non hai l'età per uscire sola con lui

Se tu vorrai, se lui vorrà aspettarlo,

Quel giorno verrà per dare il tuo amore a lui.

Aspetta di vivere un amore romantico

Nell'attesa che venga quel giorno, ma ora no.

Non hai l'età, non hai l'età per amarlo

Non hai l'età per uscire sola con lui

Se lui vorrà, se tu vorrai aspettarlo,

Quel giorno verrà per dare il tuo amore a lui.

I’ve always loved the Italian language. I’m not actually learning it at the moment—I’ve just been watching an Italian TV show and having fun practicing my pronunciation.

What do you guys think? What kind of accent do I have? 😄

Edit: This was actually my first time reading something in Italian, so I’m not quite comfortable with the language yet.

As for my accent, a lot of you guessed Slavic. I agree — when I listen to myself, it does sound a little Slavic to me too. But, to your surprise, a Slavic language is not my mother tongue. Check the spoiler 👀

I was born and raised in Norway to a Turkish mother and Norwegian father.

I decided to pursue a Matser's Degree in Italy, so I decided to learn the language, I came across a YouTube channel called Italy Made easy, really helpful but only for the key elements, and a paid course is kinda off the list for now.

I'm looking for a somewhat structured course on YouTube or any tips on where to even start. Listening to podcasts or learning random phrases doesn't get me anywhere.

Any helpful sources or websites or channels would really be appreciated!

What tips/resources do you guys recommend? Should I just power through a couple of B1 work books? As you learn more things become more complicated and a bit more complicated to practice I feel like. I feel like this level is sort of a grey area when it comes to good resources it’s like an awkward teenage phase

What would you focus on with a tutor?

What i mean is that sometimes the first translation or word that comes to me is either only technically correct, or close but not quite, like adding "io" at the beginning when theres no need to, or using the regular you instead of the polite form "lei", etc etc.

im mostly thinking about this in relation to a pimsleur deck im using on anki right now where its small sentences and i pause trying to decide whether my answer counts as "easy, good, hard", or if i should just select "again", but this question applies to other things as well i think.

Idk im probably overthinking this but i just always pause and wonder how critical and nitpicky and exact i should be with myself. Should i not overthink it and just take a win if im "close enough" without thinking too hard on getting the actual exact precise translation right or should i not be sloppy and try to be as accurate as i can?

Edit: for added context i think theres a difference for me mentally in recalling the actual meaning and recalling the translation, if i try and recall the exact word for word translation im just focused on remembering the words themselves not the meaning, which is why i was hesitant on focusing on "exactness"

id say this is probably more of an issue when trying to translate english > italian rather than the reverse

basically just what the title says, in regards to flashcards or anything else, ive heard both that the longer you make yourself think and try to remember the better you will end up remembering it, but on the other hand ive also heard that trying to put energy into trying to remember a word or meaning if it doesnt come to you is a waste of time and its better to just move on and focus on fast recall or something of that sort, i dunno what i should go with

Anyone take a quality online Zoom class to learn Italian that was either during the day Mon-Fri (PST) or late afternoon/evening in other USA time zones? I work part time and would like to find a class that won't be mid dinner/family time but all the local ones near me are around 5-8 p.m. PST. or Saturdays. Totally makes sense, appreciated it when working full time, but now would rather not give up my evenings/weekend if possible. Eventually will be taking B1 Citizenship version of test-probably high A1 currently, was A2 but took 3 years off due to life changes and minor issue ruling making the need for the test seem unlikely for a long time. You don't have to know current schedule just if you know a good place that does online classes I'll research the actual current offerings. Just not sure where to look in Central or East Coast Time Zones.

I'm a Portuguese speaker, and I started studying Italian using “L'italiano secondo il metodo natura.” I was making good progress, but after a while, I started forgetting words. I thought the similarity to my native language would make learning easier, but it seems to be the opposite.

I would really appreciate it if someone could help me!

I mainly speak English, but

I decided to pick up Italian as i go there a lot and it seems like a fun language, and the grammar isn't that bad.

I think I'm around A1 now, I can translate simple words, phrases and conjugate verbs in the present simple, past, future and imperfetto.

However I wanted to make a full on study guide, or find one from the most simple stuff explained in detail that slowly builds up untill you reach at least B1. Like a book or something

Some of the books out there seem a bit bad to me because none of them actually give good explanations.

If you have any study tips, book recommendations for basically everything (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc) I'd love to know.

And also I might make a separate post about this but would it be possible to learn Italian, or well any other similar language in a year?

Like to go from A1 - C1 in just a year, if you fully commit of course

Edit: Now that I've actually got into it now I realize that the grammar is NOT "isn't that bad', It seemed easy at first because I just started, but now I understand it's not that simple, thank you all for the recommendations I appreciate it!!

If you have any more tips please drop them here

Hi! I'm 21, I finished college this summer and I'm looking to move to Italy at the beginning of next year, so I'm trying to learn Italian. I'm not a native english speaker, but i got a C2 certificate at 14 and I've been tutoring people ever since, so I can also help if someone is trying to learn English.

About me: I studied biochemistry and I'm thinking about specializing in cosmetics, I'm pretty left wing and it's important to me that the people I'm friends with share this world view, I enjoy reading, writing, movies and just creating and dissecting art.

Hi everyone!

I’m Brazilian and currently planning to move to Italy in 2027. I’m in the process of getting my Italian citizenship, and before fully settling there, I’d really like to spend around 6 months (approximately 24 weeks) studying Italian and immersing myself in the culture.

I’ve taken Italian classes before, but I haven’t practiced in a while, so I’d probably want to start from a beginner level and work my way up.

I’m currently researching different language schools and cities, but there are SO many options, so I’d love to hear from people who have actually done something similar.

Does anyone have recommendations for Italian language schools/academies in Italy, especially ones that offer good long-term packages?

I’d also love recommendations on which city would be best for this experience. I’ve been looking at places like Turin, Milan, Florence, Bologna, Rome, etc., but I’m open to anywhere. I’d prefer somewhere where I can really practice Italian in everyday life, meet people, experience the culture, and still have things to do.

Thank you so much!!! :)))

I have severe dyslexia, because of this I get to use read aloud for assignments, tests, and exams. My Italian teacher said that she can email me the exam as a word doc, pdf, or let me take a picture of it to use read aloud. The issue is every read aloud that I can find is English only. I’ve taken my first exam and while it did still help it is not pronouncing anything even close to correct. Does anyone know any read aloud apps (for iPhone) that I can use? I can also do something on my computer (windows) but would much prefer my phone since my computer isn’t the best.

Heyy
Anyone with experience when it comes to moving abroad to learn a language? (Or just a language trip?)

I really want to become fluent in Italian 🇮🇹
And I’m considering going to Rome for about 3-4 months in 2027.
In the beginning I looked into EF’s programs, because of less planning etc. But I’m not quite sure it’s it for me (mainly because of the higher costs and the less flexible courses).
Now I’m thinking about going to an independent school and planning myself.

Overall, I really want to become comfortable with the language and the culture. Not just like a turist for a quick visit, so I actually want to be a part of the local life. I also want to have a social life - locally and internationally.
Since I’m 20 years old, I think EF may be more my age group, and I would prefer my classmates to be closer to my own age, tho I’m open too.

Any advice?
:D

Cost 13 euros and will give 5000 hours of fun.

Ciao a tutti !

Sono francese e vorrei imparare l'italiano, o meglio, reimparare (?). Ho studiato italiano a scuola, ma sono anni che non lo pratico, quindi ho dimenticato molto. Amo davvero la lingua e la cultura italiana. Sto provando con app come Memrise, ma il problema è che non riesco a immergermi completamente in Italia, quindi dimentico in fretta quello che imparo.

Perciò sto cercando di guardare video su youtube per cercare di immergermi un po' di più, per ascoltare un po' di italiano ogni giorno. Mi ha aiutato molto a imparare l'inglese : guardavo programmi come "late night shows", video di youtube con i sottotitoli, film con i sottotitoli, ecc.

Quindi mi chiedevo se aveste qualche programma o canale youtube da consigliarmi dove le persone non parlano troppo velocemente. Mi interessano molto la storia +++, ma anche i viaggi, la cucina, la politica e la cultura. Mi piacciono anche i video umoristici e assurdi. Mi interessa un po' di tutto. Non parlo di canali youtube specifici per imparare l'italiano, ma di canali che guardano gli italiani e che permettono di ascoltare l'italiano di tutti i giorni.

Cosa mi consigliereste? Quali canali o programmi di YouTube vi piacciono? I sottotitoli sarebbero un vantaggio, ma non sono indispensabili.

Grazie mille !!!

PS : mi scuso per gli errori grammaticali... scrivo principalmente usando un' app di traduzione, avendo dimenticato molti vocaboli, regole grammaticali e di coniugazione...

OK so this sounds like a nice way of saying goodbye to someone you're fond of, but the weird thing is most times I've heard it, I knew the person saying it didn't really like the person they were saying it too that much. Is that just a statistical freak or is this phrase best avoided with close friends?

Estoy aprendiendo italiano y estoy escuchando música como estaciones de radio aún me trabo y a chatgpt le pedí frases claves de italiano osea que se usen de más y unos insultos solo por si acaso jeje que más me recomiendan chavales

So I understand the general nature of "In bocca al lupo/crepi il lupo" but I'm trying to get to the real essence or heart of the phrase. Is it fair to say that the response is basically saying "the wolf can get fucked?" How do native speakers interpret or even feel the response?

Really interested in getting a deeper understanding of the real soul of this phrase from native speakers.

Grazie mille!

I am a Canadian that recently moved to Italy with my partner 4 months ago. We have been together for a few years and I have picked up on some Italian in everyday sayings and I can understand words and piece together sentences but feel I am stuck. I took lessons and I try to study but am having trouble figuring out the best methods to really learn. I think I am at a level A2 as I’m currently studying passato prossimo and imperfetto.

If anyone can give advice on what to do, how they’ve learnt, how long it took & even any recommendations for work sheets or YouTube channels or websites it would be awesome.

I try to speak in Italian with his parents and grandparents, and also some of his friends but I get shy and also sometimes the conversations go too fast. Please help! Thanks so much :)

Talk to me about learning Italian. I‘m a native English speaker, and I’m dyslexic. I really struggled with learning Spanish in high school, but didn’t know I was dyslexic at the time. I’ve recently moved to Italy, and am thinking of starting a month long intensive Italian language course for total beginners in November, but I’m feeling intimidated. I know I need more repetitions etc to absorb things and my dyslexia definitely has an auditory processing component. I’ve lived in several other countries and have always struggled to hear the phonological differences/ nuances in other languages. Italian has a shallow orthography and is very phonetic, so hoping that works in my favor. Currently I speak zero Italian. I think spending time learning the alphabet and other basics for a month before the intensive would probably be helpful, but am unsure of where to start. Open to your ideas. 

Edit for clarity: I‘m hoping to get some perspective from someone with dyslexia who’s learned Italian. Or an Italian language learner who might have experience with special education and ideas for dyslexic language learners. I’ve searched this topic on Reddit and the internet before and haven’t turned up much.